Tewksbury's Aylward And McKay Are Best Friends, Opponents On Saturday

BEVERLY, MA — Like brothers. Family. The terms are used often by athletes about their teammates.

But ahead of Saturday's NCAA Division III first-round playoff football game between Springfield College (8-2) and Endicott University (10-0), two opposing players are using those terms to describe their bond.

Endicott junior wide receiver Shane Aylward and Springfield sophomore linebacker Will McKay grew up across the street from one another on Barbara D Lane in Tewksbury. They played sports together nearly every day in their front yards, they were youth sports teammates and football teammates at Tewksbury Memorial High. Their families are close to one another ... like family.

The upcoming matchup between Aylward and McKay on the gridiron figures to make what would be a memorable day even more memorable for both TMHS grads.

"The game will be something to remember for the rest of our lives. Not many people have the opportunity to be able to go up against their best friends and family," Aylward told Patch. "Will has always been another brother to me. Through thick and thin we have always been there for each other."

Aylward continued: "This is absolutely something we will talk about for the rest of our lives and I can't wait to finally be able to go up against him in an organized game. But once it's game time, all that has to be blocked out. My mind will be 100 percent with the team, and we are looking to keep moving on in the playoffs."

McKay said he and Aylward talk and text regularly, and that hasn't stopped this week just because they will face one another on Saturday.

The Endicott team also features three other TMHS grads: freshman running back Danny Fleming, senior offensive lineman Justyn Lester and freshman defensive lineman Davenche Sydney.

McKay obviously knows those players. But he said the friendship between him and Aylward goes back to when McKay moved to the neighborhood ... when he was 3 months old.

"Facing (Aylward) will definitely be one of the craziest games I have ever played in," McKay told Patch. "Growing up across the street from one another we have been on the same team in pick-up football, basketball, Wiffle ball and pretty much everything, so this will be a first. I am definitely excited to face him."

Both players have been major contributors to their teams.

Aylward is second on the Gulls with 30 receptions and has a team-high 466 receiving yards. He also has 3 touchdowns. Earlier this week, he was named All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) for the second straight season. Aylward also is a team captain.

"Shane's leadership abilities have greatly impacted the success we have had this year, both on the field and within the culture of our program," Endicott head coach Paul McGonagle told Patch. "He's so coachable. Beyond his stats, what's most impressive about Shane is his selfless commitment to run blocking and his concerted effort to make his teammates better every day as a second-year captain."

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Aylward said he attributes some of his football success to the person who will be lining up on the other side of the ball on Saturday.

"I have to give (McKay) some credit because without us playing sports in the front yard every single day (as kids), I'm not sure I'd be the competitor I am today."

The 5-10, 215-pound McKay, meanwhile, has played in nine games for the Pride and he is 5th on the team with 31 tackles.

"Will is a tremendous player for us and more importantly a great teammate," Springfield head coach Mike Cerasuolo told Patch. "Coming from Tewksbury, you know the type of player you are going to get: tough, well-coached and relentless on the field. He is everything you want out of a player. Plays the game with tremendous effort. No matter what is asked of him, he does it with great passion and to the best of his ability."

Longtime TMHS football head coach Brian Aylward, Shane's father, coached both his son and McKay in high school. The elder Aylward described McKay's family — which includes parents Barry and Joanne — as being an extension of his own family.

"(They are) some of the best friends that we have had over the years," Brian Aylward said.

Brian Aylward said he and his wife Mary plan to spend time with the McKays before and after Saturday's game.

While it will be a special occasion, Brian Aylward said he wishes Endicott and Springfield were not meeting so early in the playoffs.

"I'd rather they'd met in the second round. Then, I could root hard for both of them (in the first round)," Brian Aylward said. "But I want (Shane Aylward and McKay) to go out there and play well and represent our town and program at a tremendous level."